Religious Freedom Movement And The Arizona Anti-Gay Bill: Author John DeFilippis Issues Statement

WILMINGTON, NC, March 08, 2014 (Press-News.org) A recent article on the CNN website stated that the veto of Arizona's anti-gay bill would likely not put an end to the religious freedom movement. The article also lists 12 other states which have begun crafting legislation to help protect those who make decisions based on religious principles. Dr. John DeFilippis believes that the time has come for Christians to take a stand to protect their religious freedom.

"I'm not surprised," DeFilippis stated, "that the religious freedom movement is starting to take shape. For years now public schools have been confiscating bibles and rosaries from students, and having them turn their shirts inside out if it depicts an image of Christ. There have been lawsuits filed to remove crosses from memorials, monuments of the Ten Commandments from courthouses, and Nativity scenes from public buildings. But I believe that the contraception mandate in Obamacare was the last straw. For the federal government to be fighting a legal battle against the Little Sisters of the Poor--whose ministry in the United States dates back to 1868--is shameful and outrageous. Thus the time has come for those who believe in freedom of religion to take a stand and fight back."

Dr. John DeFilippis writes epic fantasy fiction for Christian readers. In the tradition of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, his novels bring to mind the adventure and excitement of Jason and the Argonauts, The Odyssey, and the Arthurian legend of the Holy Grail.

'The Quest of the Thirteen' and 'The Birth of Malgyron' are the first two volumes of DeFilippis' epic fantasy series titled 'The Medallion of Mavinor.' The series starts with thirteen loyal subjects being selected and trained to make an arduous quest to retrieve the long lost Medallion of Mavinor. Together they work against nearly impossible odds-- rugged terrain, mythical beasts, death-defying adventures and, worst of all, betrayal in their ranks--in order to complete their mission. In the sequel, an evil plot is hatched to overthrow the king, one that has dire consequences not only for the kingdom of Mavinor, but for the entire world. The heroes of the story are forced to band together and fight to thwart the plot before it is too late.

The just-released third volume of the series, 'The Crusade Against Darkness,' picks up where 'The Birth of Malgyron' left off. When the forces of good finally mobilize in an attempt to reclaim Mavinor, they realize that they cannot afford to fail in their crusade or the world as they once knew it will be gone forever.

Ultimately the novels are about an extraordinary effort to resurrect a kingdom and the faith of its people in a world where that faith is quickly waning. They serve as an allegory for the assault on Christianity in modern-day society. While the work is classified as epic fantasy fiction, traditional Christian values lie at the very heart of the story and Dr. DeFilippis considers himself to be a Christian author. He is a devout conservative Catholic, and an avid supporter of religious freedom in an age of growing secularism.

"Christians today are facing the same challenges as the characters in my books," DeFilippis said, "and if they don't wake up and fight back, then they'll also face the possibility that the world they once knew will be gone forever."

Dr. John DeFilippis is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at jdefilippis@optonline.net. 'The Quest of the Thirteen' and the sequel, 'The Birth of Malgyron', are available in print, ebook and pdf formats from Crossroad Press. 'The Quest of the Thirteen' is also available in audiobook format. More information is available at his website.

Dr. John DeFilippis was born on March 9, 1970 in Bayonne, New Jersey. He grew up in the Greenville section of Jersey City, graduating from Our Lady of Mercy Grammar School in 1984. In 1988 he graduated from Saint Peter's Prep and went on to study at Rutgers College in New Brunswick, New Jersey. After earning his Bachelor of Science degree, Dr. DeFilippis attended the School of Theology at Seton Hall University for three years, from 1993 to 1996. During this time he earned his master's degree in theology and discerned a call to the Catholic priesthood. After ultimately deciding that he did not have a religious vocation, Dr. DeFilippis transitioned into the field of education.

He taught for four years at both the elementary and secondary levels, and earned a second master's degree in educational administration. In 2000 Dr. DeFilippis made yet another transition, this time accepting an offer to become an academic administrator at Saint Peter's University in Jersey City. He would spend the next seven years there, and in 2007 he completed his Ph.D. in educational leadership at Seton Hall University. After finishing his doctoral degree, he accepted an offer to become a director in the Division of Academic Affairs at New Jersey City University.

But through all the years of earning graduate degrees, teaching, and working in educational administration, Dr. DeFilippis never lost sight of his childhood dream. That dream was to become a published author, and through tireless work and relentless persistence, his dream was ultimately fulfilled.